How to Learn MS SQL Server 2005?

Question

I would like to start learning SQL Server 2005 on my own. Can anyone recommend good books or websites that will be a good start for me?

Answer 1

Books:

Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Querying

Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: The Storage Engine

Pro SQL Server 2005 Database Design and Optimization

Sites:

SQL Server Programming Hacks

sqlserverpedia

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Learning Portal

Good SQL Articles To Read If You Can't Afford Books

Answer 2

Are you learning SQL from scratch?

I would suggest starting with this SQL Tutorial.

However if you know SQL already then this is a good list of tutorials on SQL 2005 features.

Answer 3

If you want to gain an good understanding of SQL Server end-to-end, I have found Robert Vieira's books on SQL Server to be useful.

Here is one I recommend.

It is a good book and I recommend it for assimilating the theory.

If you need a good reference book I have found that Murach's books on SQL server to be useful.

Here is one I recommend.

This a good book for quick "cook book" type solutions.

Answer 4

here is an additional link for those common questions

The Ten Most Asked SQL Server Questions And Their Answers

Answer 5

For heavier TSQL questions, I found this blog useful :

http://www.sommarskog.se/

Answer 6

Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 is a good book for beginners. It covers SQL syntax and server administration tasks.